Andy Villamarzo, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
WESLEY CHAPEL — Fivay has put a lot upon the right arm of its top pitcher, freshman Jarred Mattos, the past few days in the Pasco County Varsity Baseball Tournament.
But Springstead coach Frank Vitale remembers Mattos' older brother Jimmy, who pitched at Ridgewood and warned his team to be prepared to see some good pitching. And his Eagles listened to the advice, as they got to the younger Mattos in the bottom of the fifth and scored five runs Wednesday night en route to a 6-2 victory over the upstart Falcons.
"I think we were a little lackadaisical to start off," Vitale said. "Fivay was really into it, while my guys were like, oh well, we're playing Fivay, and I told my guys you have to respect everyone you play. I know the Mattos kid's older brother was a good pitcher, and I knew (Jarred Mattos) would be a good pitcher, too."
In the first four innings Mattos had it going, allowing only four hits, striking out two and giving up one earned run. Fivay (4-8) took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth off a T.J. Niles rope single that scored R.J. Hampshire from third. The Falcons left the bases loaded in the top frame, leaving the door open for Springstead (9-5).
In the bottom of the fifth the Eagles' bats got rolling after one out, with three straight hits off Mattos that chased him from the game with a 4-2 lead. Springstead sophomore Ryan Nicoll (three strikeouts) would take care of the rest, pitching perfect sixth and seventh innings to seal the win.
In earlier action, Central defeated Sunlake 5-3 and Mitchell ousted Hudson 12-7 to improve to 11-3 on the season.